I've been practicing Jiujitsu for 8 years now, on and off due to travelling and relocating for…read morework. Through this time I've trained consistently in a total of 5 jiujitsu gyms (in the US and abroad) and tried out countless others. Through all of that I can say with extreme emphasis that not all gyms and instructors are created equal. In 2021 I started training at The Institute of Combative Arts (Gracie Jiujitsu) in Quincy. I was skeptical at first...it looks like an abandoned building and has no signs except a tiny sticker on the door. I even called ahead after booking my trial class online/through email to make sure it was the correct address. When I showed up for class, I knew it was the gym for me. I had tried a few other gyms in the area and did not like the energy of the gyms nor attitudes/styles of the instructors. When I walked into IOCA, I felt welcome and comfortable. They create a community, a family here, and that is how a jiujitsu gym should be. Trust in paramount in a good training partner. I joined the combatives program, which is unique to gracie BJJ. If focuses on a series of core Jiujitsu moves and makes it very easy to track your progress. There is NO sparring in this program. This is also something I've noticed is unique to Gracie. This is to focus on learning the core techniques before rolling with an opponent and helps to minimize newbie injuries and create a more inclusive and less competitive environment. After you reach stripe 2 you are invited to Reflex Development Classes that help you train for your Blue belt test. They also start to include gloves and mouth guards in select sparring rounds. This is because IOCA focuses on self defense jiujitsu for its white belt combatives class. When you take your test your blue belt test, you receive a white belt with blue stripes. This opens up Master cycle classes where you can learn more advanced jiujitsu techniques, and be given your blue belt. A complete gi with belt are included in your tuition. Your tuition also locks, IOCA will never raise your tuition fee even if the price rises. As a female combative member, I also have access to women's empowered classes. (A self defense course just for women.) There are both male and female changing rooms, a rest room, heat and AC. There is free street parking all around the gym so there are no complications there. The gym also offers other martial arts classes including Eskrima. They also have kids classes, so it is something your whole family can get into. It is a great gym for both advanced jiujitsu practitioners and those curious to try it out.

Before I was a skeptic of the whole Gracie's Brazilian jiu-jitsu system, but when I came here for…read moremy first intro private lesson, instructor David opened my eyes on how realistic and effective the system is. He explained and demonstrated on how to utilize each individual techniques in certain scenarios, and let's you ask questions anytime. You can tell he definitely knows his craft. The instructor is really chill and he really cares about your development not only in martial arts, but as a person. The place itself is fairly big and looks like a traditional karate dojo since it is shared with the karate class that they offer. The floor is hard wooded floor so they practice and spar on mats. They also have a women's and men's locker room for you to change and plenty of lockers to put your stuff in. There isn't any trophies hanging on the walls, which shows that this place isn't about ego, but about learning and community. I also find Bjj really fun! Since I had such a great experience here after my first private intro class, I signed up for more private one-on-one classes with instructor David. If you're in the South Shore area and are interested in learning Bjj I would highly recommend to give this place a try. They even offer a 10 day free trial!

This small business offers great programs! I take their ilovekickboxing program and so far I have…read moredropped about 28 lbs in a year and have gotten a lot stronger (let's put it this way, I can do Sean T's Insanity workout with a weight vest on)! They also have a martial arts school for adults and kids which is fantastic. It was motivating to watch a kids's belt graduation. The kids learned about respect to not have it be about power directed at each other but in a positive way. Throughout the year they have fun little one day programs which my son really enjoyed. Last year they had a Star Wars training and OMG! They taught genuine fencing techniques with a fencing instructor with the light sabers and the kids got to "duel" a sith. The cost was peanuts too! I would highly recommend this place to anyone!

While on a cruise in China, I experienced very bad breathing problems. Being an asthmatic, my…read moremedications couldn't keep up with the conditions. It necessitated my going to the ship's Doctor, who emphasized the most important thing that I could do was to practice Tai Chi every day for 1 - 1 1/2 hours . While living in Florida I" learned" Tai chi through videos. Realizing that there was no one to tell me if I was doing it correctly, I felt that I needed to find a class with a teacher who could give me guidance. When I came back to Boston for the summer, I did quite a bit of research and based on the reviews decided to go to Randy's class. Randy is a TEACHER. He shares his extensive knowledge not only about the forms but also the why. It is important to him that his students maximize the physical and mental benefits of Tai Chi. This is exemplified by his individual attention that all of his students receive. He consistently moves around the class encouraging and correcting. Through his efforts I feel that I have begun the steps (baby steps) to really learn Tai Chi and have grown not only in the physical but also the importance of the mental aspects. Randy is truly vested in the success of his students. If you truly want to learn, Randy is a TEACHER

I have attended two classes with Randy thus far. My wife and I enjoy his classes thoroughly. Randy…read moreis obviously passionate about his art and his attention to detail stands out. I have found my investment in Randy and his classes to be money well spent and will definitely refer friends and family to him.

Master Craig has created a wonderful place for the children in Milton to learn martial arts skills…read morein a small class. They learn the discipline needed to succeed in a positive way, make new friends and feel like they are part of a community. Master Craig's firm but caring way with the kids help them learn to respect him and the practice. Each class has assistants so that all children are getting help when needed. Our child practices at home so he can pass his next test and can't wait to go to each class. The central location and lots of parking makes it easy for us. We are so thankful we found Impact Taekwondo!

Amazing sport that challenges me to improve every single time! Taekwondo has boosted my physical…read moreperformance, focus, concentration, discipline, and team spirit -- benefits that truly span all ages. A big thank-you to Master Brown for inspiring us and guiding us to become the best version of ourselves!

I highly recommend this school. Yes there are several martial arts one can choose from.... but if…read moreit's Tae Kwon Do... then this school is the place to enroll. I am a single parent and I enrolled my son here just months after he had turned 7 (the school had just opened). He was enrolled at the other tkd school in Quincy but.... after my 3 month trial there I soon realized that place just didn't fit right with us. Sadly, the TKD Master/instructor that we signed up with had left that school some time after. We never saw him again. Dec 2012, my son and I, noticed the yellow awning that had a new tkd school that just opened. We walked in and was greeted by an instructor names Liem. He was a sweet man and gave us the package information and told us that we would be contacted soon to followup a meeting with the school manager. Her name was Leslie and she clearly went over costs and offered different packages and we finally figured out a number we were both happy. I signed him up for the black belt program and as of today my son is two ranks away after 2 years! Oh and I want to mention that in my meeting with Leslie, I learned that the Master that opened BEST TAEKWONDO is the one that left my son's previous school. So.... after learning that.... I was already sold. Master Seo also has a tkd school in korea so he often travels back and forth. It's always pleasure to learn when he is back. Along with Liem and Leslie, there are several other instructors, and they are all great. But i do want to mention specifically Kathy and Kent! These two have been very important to me in my son's tae Kwon do history and I must pay them the highest appreciation possible. Everyone makes this place stand out because not only is it a teaching institution but it also feels like a home.

Best school ever very nice teacher and people and people are very helpful when you ask for help for…read moreyour forms

I found the best dojo! Samurai Academy of Kobudo in Weymouth, Ma. Soke Grand Master Tsuji teaches…read morehis system that his family developed in Japan for more than 300 years. I've always been interested in the martial arts and a couple of years ago I was looking for a dojo. I tried it for the first time as I was approaching 50 years old. Soke Grandmaster Tsuji is teaching me the ancient art of the samurai that includes open hand and weapons. He shares his wisdom around self defense and his deep knowledge of the history of the Samurai. Soke and his dedicated instructors, T.K., Alvin and Dee have taught me lessons for a lifetime including patience and respect. As an adult learner I like to experience new things. I was easily talked into competing at a regional tournament. Lots of different schools attended and it was great to see how martial arts has a large community. I've been taking the adult classes for the past couple of years and and have always found Samurai Academy to be a welcoming dojo

This place is unbelievable. I've been going several times a week for over a year now and I can't…read moreget enough. Not only is this school good for learning martial arts but everyone here is so nice and welcoming. Unlike the other schools in the region, this dojo doesn't just teach one technique. You can learn how to use jujutsu, moving meditation, dakenjutsu (karate), aikijutsu, kenjutsu (samuarai sword), and even samurai drumming techniques. Also, no where else can you receive training from someone who has literally been practicing Kobudo his entire life. The person I speak of is Soke Grandmaster Tsuji and no one else like him exists in this country and probably not in Japan either. In addition to the top notch training I've been receiving as an adult, I've also witnessed a bit of the children's programs as well. The children love it there as well as the parents. I can also say that unlike other martial arts schools, Samurai Academy isn't run like business. They won't try and sell you expensive packages or lock you in to a year long contract. If you want to be there you can be there and if you don't you can leave (few ever leave). This place has not only made me feel more confident in my physical abilities but it has also made me stronger mentally as well. Being surrounded by such a positive environment has made me a much better person in just one short year and my training has only begun. I don't give five star ratings very often but I'd give Samurai Academy in Weymouth a 10 if I could.

Sensei Francois and Sensei Thomas are what I wish all teachers were like. They're serious about…read morewhat they do, and their amazing at jiu jitsu, but they understand that you're a student and you're learning and they are really encouraging at every step. All our classmates are very friendly and bring a positive attitude, and the classes are fun and go by in the blink of an eye, it seems. I can't recommend this place and these guys enough. One note: this is American Jiu Jitsu that will train you to survive in a fight. If you're looking for competition-style martial arts, this is not the place for you. But if you want practical techniques to defend yourself, this is the place to do it.

Sensei Francios and Sensei Thomas are fantastic. I've been attending classes for a few months now…read moreand have loved every minute- they challenge us and equip class participants with the self-defense skills needed in real-life situations. Both teachers are super friendly and committed to helping every student in as many ways as possible. Additionally, all of my classmates are positive, welcoming and dedicated- I look forward to going to class every week. It's such a cool community and I cannot recommend New Vision enough!

Bob Beatrice does a great Job of explaining why we perform the motions we do. He works well with…read moreYouth and Adults alike.

I have practiced aikido on and off for twenty years, and this is one of the best places I've…read moreattended, if not the best. The teaching is top-notch, and the atmosphere is very friendly and laid-back. The membership is on the small side at the moment, and although the dojo is looking to expand and gain more members, this makes for a lot of individual attention. We are very lucky to have Vu Ha as our principal instructor. Not only is his aikido technique amazing, but he is very gifted as a teacher. In addition to exercise, the dojo provides a nice community. People often go out for food and/or beer after class, and organize trips to aikido seminars outside of Boston.

I have been practicing Aikido for about 9 years and moved to the Boston area in February. I…read moredecided to join Boston Aikikai to continue my practice and it has been wonderful! The instructors are very talented both as Aikido practitioners and teachers. The people who practice here are very friendly and welcoming and I felt at home right away. I love spending time with everybody both on the mat and off the mat and I'm really glad this is where I've ended up now that I'm in Boston.

Mo's is a wonderful studio. You're not just a student there; you're family. Eric is patient and…read moregentle, teaching the kids self-control, discipline, and the value of being a good teammate. His children's classes are FUN, first and foremost. My kids have learned to protect themselves, and feel capable and confident in their abilities. Mo's has helped them grow in so many ways, including maturing out of fears of the dark and being home alone. My daughters stand taller and feel stronger thanks to Mo's!

Their motto: be the best you can be. Great school, patient black belt instructors, real camaraderie…read moreamong students of all ranks.